Cut opal spheres and beads

Formats and tools

Unit Description
Reconstruct the unit from the xml and display it as an HTML page.
Assessment Tool
an assessor resource that builds a framework for writing an assessment tool
Assessment Template
generate a spreadsheet for marking this unit in a classroom environment. Put student names in the top row and check them off as they demonstrate competenece for each of the unit's elements and performance criteria.
Assessment Matrix
a slightly different format than the assessment template. A spreadsheet with unit names, elements and performance criteria in separate columns. Put assessment names in column headings to track which performance criteria each one covers. Good for ensuring that you've covered every one of the performance criteria with your assessment instrument (all assessement tools together).
Wiki Markup
mark up the unit in a wiki markup codes, ready to copy and paste into a wiki page. The output will work in most wikis but is designed to work particularly well as a Wikiversity learning project.
Evidence Guide
create an evidence guide for workplace assessment and RPL applicants
Competency Mapping Template
Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners. A template for developing assessments for a unit, which will help you to create valid, fair and reliable assessments for the unit, ready to give to trainers and students
Observation Checklist
create an observation checklist for workplace assessment and RPL applicants. This is similar to the evidence guide above, but a little shorter and friendlier on your printer. You will also need to create a seperate Assessor Marking Guide for guidelines on gathering evidence and a list of key points for each activity observed using the unit's range statement, required skills and evidence required (see the unit's html page for details)

Self Assessment Survey
A form for students to assess thier current skill levels against each of the unit's performance criteria. Cut and paste into a web document or print and distribute in hard copy.
Moodle Outcomes
Create a csv file of the unit's performance criteria to import into a moodle course as outcomes, ready to associate with each of your assignments. Here's a quick 'how to' for importing these into moodle 2.x
Registered Training Organisations
Trying to find someone to train or assess you? This link lists all the RTOs that are currently registered to deliver CUVOPA404A, 'Cut opal spheres and beads'.
Google Links
links to google searches, with filtering in place to maximise the usefulness of the returned results
Books
Reference books for 'Cut opal spheres and beads' on fishpond.com.au. This online store has a huge range of books, pretty reasonable prices, free delivery in Australia *and* they give a small commission to ntisthis.com for every purchase, so go nuts :)


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Set up machinery and equipment

1.1 Set up bead mill, sphere-making equipment and drills to manufacturers’ specifications

1.2 Identify the maintenance areas and complete the required maintenance routine

1.3 Investigate other methods of making spheres and beads if commercial equipment is not available

2. Select and pre-form material

2.1 Select materials suitable for making spheres or beads

2.2 Preform opal using saw or grinder to produce required shape

2.3 Grind shape corners to establish rounded form

3. Produce opal bead

3.1 Fill holder template with pre-formed beads (range of shapes)

3.2 Grind pre-formed beads in bead mill using #120 silicon carbide powder until they are rounded

3.3 Change the holder template to a small size if necessary

3.4 Remove faulty or broken opal from the bead mill

3.5 Remove beads from the bead mill and clean

4. Drill beads

4.1 Select beads for drilling

4.2 Place bead in bead vice, drill half way into the bead, turn over, check alignment and drill the other half ensuring a cut hole through the bead

5. Polish beads

5.1 Place cleaned beads in tumble polisher with increasingly fine grinding medium

5.2 Clean tumbler and beads at every change over

5.3 Clean beads thoroughly after the final grind, place in the tumbler with polishing medium and tumble to a high lustre

5.4 Clean finished beads thoroughly with water

6. Produce opal spheres

6.1 Select opals to make spheres and pre-form the spheres

6.2 Grind the spheres in a sphere maker with water and increasingly fine grinding medium

6.3 Clean spheres thoroughly at each change over

6.4 Polish cleaned sphere with polishing medium and water using leather sphere cups to desired polish


Qualifications and Skillsets

CUVOPA404A appears in the following qualifications:

  • CUV40611 - Certificate IV in Opal Cutting and Polishing